USPA NEWS - Jean Yves le Drian, french Foreign Affairs Minister, delivered his a long speech to the UN General Assembly, on September 26th . His speech was addressing the to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal declaration of Human Rights before the Secretary General of UN, the High Commissioner , on behalf of France, Germany, Costa Rica, South Korea, and Senegal. He reminded in his remarks by welcoming the audience of the UNGA to celebrate the legacy of Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in Paris, 1948: « We are I am honored to welcome to this rostrum the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres - who will have to leave us a little sooner in view of his many commitments - as well as the High Commissioner for Human Rights »

High Commissioner HR Michelle Bachelet Source: UNHCR

Jean Yves le Drian, french Foreign Affairs Minister, delivered his a long speech to the UN General Assembly, on September 26th . His speech was addressing the to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal declaration of Human Rights before the Secretary General of UN, the High Commissioner , on behalf of France, Germany, Costa Rica, South Korea, and Senegal. He reminded in his remarks by welcoming the audience of the UNGA to celebrate the legacy of Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in Paris, 1948: « We are I am honored to welcome to this rostrum the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres - who will have to leave us a little sooner in view of his many commitments - as well as the High Commissioner for Human Rights »
Jean Yves le Drian took this opportunity by congratulating Michelle Bachelet for her recent appointment as High Commissioner of the UN : « Michelle Bachelet, whom I congratulate on her appointment.
The French Foreign Affairs Minister, aknowledges, the French position regarding Human Rights and stressed on the fight for peace , especially n countries with emerged armed conflicts, such as the victims of Boko Haram. JY Le Drian
Twenty years after the declaration of the General Assembly on human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, NGO leaders have been hindered by their activities. In a second step, « we will leave the forum to a panel discussion that will be moderated by Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. Mr. Secretary-General, you have the floor » Jean Yves Le Drian, explained

UNHCR Logo Source: UNHCR

SPEECH OF JEAN YVES LE DRIAN TO CELEBERATE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF HUMAN RIGHTS DELCARATION ADPOTED IN 1948 IN PARIS
« Mr. Secretary-General, Madam High Commissioner,
Ministers, dear colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
In this year 2018, we commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War; we also commemorate the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in Paris on December 10, 1948. The pivotal dates are conducive to balance sheets. And in terms of human rights, the one I derive from six years of ministerial duties, as Minister of Defense and then Ministerial Affairs.
1. The first observation I make is that of the exponential development of human rights violations in environments of armed conflict. Today, the theaters of conflict are witnessing the resurgence of the whole spectrum of war crimes - to terrorize the population, to bend the enemy faster, to promote a demographic recomposition. I am thinking of deliberate attacks on civilians, the use of banned weapons, the displacement of people, starvation and neglect in Syria. I am thinking of summary executions in the Central African Republic. I am thinking of the systematic use of torture and forced conscription of children into the ranks of the Boko Haram militia or South Sudan. All conflicts are accompanied by a series of violations of
systematic human rights, including sexual violence. The most vulnerable, particularly persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities in particular, suffer the most serious consequences: it may have been crimes against humanity and crimes of genocide that have been perpetrated in recent years against Yazidi and Rohingya populations.----------------------------------
2. The second observation is the narrowing of the human rights space, including within democratic societies. This is a trend that inevitably accompanies the resurgence of nationalist and populist discourses - and Europe is not spared. Twenty years after the declaration of the General Assembly on human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, NGO leaders have been hindered by their activities, laws that aim to muzzle civil society by claiming to regulate it. This evolution goes hand in hand with what I would call "ideological" protest of human rights, in political discourse as in international fora. Universality and the primacy of human rights are challenged by different forms of relativistic expressions. The institutions that defend them, such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, are challenged in the same vein.

Stand Against Racism logo Source: Stand Against Racism

THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS FIGHTS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION-------------------------
« I wish to recall here, however, that human rights are not "values" that should be adapted to local cultures and identities, and that their respect is not a political choice, but a legal obligation. . These are commitments and principles of law guaranteed by solemn declarations or legally binding treaties, with a universal vocation. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been the foundation of this protective building. Since 1948, it has expanded to other topics - women's rights, children's rights, enforced disappearances. It must now extend to new fields, such as the digital space, the protection of journalists, the right to a healthy environment, the protection of civilians in armed conflict. France is therefore resolutely engaged in this fight, carrying out, with others, the draft Environmental Pact and launching initiatives on the protection of civilians and journalists. France will also continue to seek consensus for the universal abolition of the death penalty, the elimination of all forms of discrimination, and the elimination of all forms of discrimination, including those based on sexual orientation and gender identity and ensuring women's sexual and reproductive rights - including the right to abortion. » Jean Yves Le Drian, acknowledges

Women Rights Logo Source: Women Rights

WOMEN PEACE AND SECURITY ACCORDING TO 1325 RESOLUTION
« It is this edifice built since the adoption of the 1948 Universal Declaration that it is today to defend. The priority is to recreate an area of ​​law to protect human rights. When these rules of international human rights law are flouted, the perpetrators must be prosecuted - in the same way as in common law. And this justice must be exercised in conditions of impartiality and independence. It is for this reason that France will support the ICC's action in the elucidation of the crimes committed against the Rohingya - crimes that could constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. It is also for this because it encourages all States that have not yet done so to adhere to the Rome Statute. Without accountability, without mechanisms to fight against impunity, international human rights law is an ineffective right - in this respect, I would like to salute the work of the extraordinary African Chambers in the Hissène Habré trial.---------------------------------------------
We must also strengthen the place of human rights in all fields of action of the United Nations. Peacekeeping operations now include a human rights dimension. And the series of texts adopted since resolution 1325 "Women, peace and security" has been an essential step in including women in peace processes. The Office of the High Commissioner and the mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, which France has been supporting since creation, are also essential for the promotion and implementation of this acquis. This is the reason why France will be a candidate for a seat on the Human Rights Council for 2021-2023.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, the advancement of human rights requires enhanced dialogue between states and civil society, with advocacy actors and actors in the field. This will be the spirit and purpose of the Paris Peace Forum, to be held in Paris next November.
***By being assembled today, representatives of several continents, we demonstrate that human rights are not the fact of a cultural area; we recall our commitment to the international system for the promotion of human rights, to the strength of the rule of law, and to multilateral institutions. This is the best tribute we can give to those who, seventy years ago, wrote a Universal Declaration on the ruins of a world conflict that ravaged the European continent. By being together today, we solemnly affirm that the 1948 universalist acquis is our heritage, a "common good" of humanity that we are ready to defend, and determined to live. »Jean Yves Le Drian stated before the Audience of UNGA.

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